17-18 Hawks

You're doing the same thing PIT fans are doing with Sprong, overvaluing junior league player, DeBrincat, to the point you think they can jump into top 6 action instantly. That won't happen. I'm a HUGE fan of DeBrincat, but highly doubtful he goes from juniors to top 6 NHL time, he'll need a year in the AHL most likely.

Chicago has been known to give players a shot straight out of junior/college/Europe (Hayden, Schmaltz, Motte, Forsling) Hayden's first NHL game was on a line with Toews and Panik. If they don't think he's ready send him down, but I'd give him a legitimate chance.

Pokka is not going to be playing for the Blackhawks next year. If they believed in him at all he would've been called up at some point in the last two years

Hawks don't need debrincat to jump straight to the NHL, they will do everything in their power as will aminsinov and panarin to bring Shaulanov over from Russia. He can jump straight into the top 6 as he has many years of KHL experience. Debrincat will spend some time in the minors. I like the kid but he's not going to elevate to the NHL that quickly. the thing a lot of people fail to realize is the CHL has 60 teams, dominating in that is a lot different then dominating in the NHL. Anytime you go from 60 teams to 31 teams its always going to be a big jump.... and remember I'm not including College and Europe in that equation. The talent funnels in and its hard for them to make the jump.